TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras.- The President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, Hopes that a “second instance” court in the United States can review the case of his brother, a former deputy found guilty of drug trafficking by a New York court.
In an interview given to AFP on Friday, the president says he is confident that judges must perceive that the accusations against Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez, They respond to a revenge of drug cartel bosses that his government dismantled.
“Tony” was found guilty by a jury in the New York Southern District Court on charges such as drug trafficking and possession of weapons, crimes that the judge can punish with at least 40 years in prison.
SEE: They postpone the sentence of “Tony” Hernandez for the eighth time
Retaliation, the president says, surrounds him as well, as drug traffickers say they financially supported his presidential campaign in exchange for him allowing them to operate.
In power since 2014, lawyer Hernandez recalls that his government has extradited 23 bosses. And it was he who called for support from the United States, which in turn recognizes the drop in drug trafficking through Honduras by 83%.
MORE: This is the life of Tony Hernandez inside the Manhattan Correctional Center
JOH, as he is known in his country for his initials, addresses security, drug trafficking and diplomacy issues, which he addressed during the interview and also showed his stance on the controversy surrounding his brother:
His brother was found guilty in the United States of links to bosses
There are two dimensions, the dimension of brother, of family, seeing my mother, seeing my nephews (Tony’s children), my siblings, and conversing in the family is a strong thing , is something that hits very hard.
But I am also president of a country and (…) no one is above the law.
Now, when I hear confessed murderers say ridiculousness, as the desire for revenge is clearly seen.
But they found him guilty [espera sentencia para marzo] What do you think will happen with this decision?
It remains to be seen what the testimonies of these people will look like once the judge realizes who they are (…) Like any judicial process, it always has a second instance.
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